Moving to Panama
The numbers that decide whether Panama works, and the pages that go through each of them in detail.
- $2,086 is worth
- $4,082
- Healthcare / year
- $1,342
- Residency asks for
- $1,000 a month
1.96x
out of pocket, per person
Guides for Panama
Panama: common questions
How much does it cost to live in Panama?
Measured against published price levels, $2,086 a month — the average US retired-worker benefit — has the purchasing power of about $4,082 in Panama, a multiplier of 1.96. That is a comparison of price levels, not a budget: rent in a capital city will run well above the national average.
What does Panama require for residency?
Panama asks you to show $1,000 a month. The figure is pegged to a national index and is revised, so check the current requirement before you file.
What does healthcare cost in Panama?
Out-of-pocket health spending in Panama runs about $1,342 per person per year. Medicare does not travel, so an American pays privately or buys in locally.
Can I collect US Social Security while living in Panama?
Yes. The Social Security Administration pays US citizens in almost every country; the exceptions are Cuba and North Korea, with several former Soviet states restricted. Panama is not among them.